Fashion week first-timers: Chloé and Parris Gordon of Chloé Comme Parris
While sisters Chloé and Parris Gordon will be showing at Toronto Fashion Week for the first time the Toronto natives aren’t new to the runway--they’ve shown at Atlantic Fashion Week three times. The pair took time to answer our fashion week first-timers questionnaire. See what they had to say after the jump.
You’ve shown at Atlantic Fashion Week in the past. Why did you decide to show in Toronto this season? "Showing in Toronto this season is a natural progression for our label, as we are originally from Toronto. Showing in Atlantic Fashion Week has been a great preliminary experience for us as designers, and convenient as we were both attending Nova Scotia College of Art & Design University in Halifax. We can definitely say that we live for the runway. There’s nothing more exciting for us as designers than watching our creations breathe life as they move.”
What is it like designing the line with your sister? What role do each of you play in the label? "Each season we come up with a concept to explore and create around. However, we do our designing separately. Chloé designs and produces the clothing while Parris designs and creates the jewelry. Despite the fact that we don’t necessarily design together, we feel our pieces always end up looking very cohesive as a full collection when everything is put together.
“Working as sisters has truly proven to be a great way to run a creative business, as there is this natural sense of loyalty that is almost inescapable. We do everything from the designing, production, management, and styling. We’re in this together for the long run.”
What have been the most fun and the most challenging things about preparing for Fashion Week? “The most challenging aspect about preparing for fashion week has been the timing. We found out only quite recently that we were going to be a part of it! The fun comes with deciding the styling, music, and atmosphere for the show. This is what we thrive off of!"
Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your Spring 2011 collection? “Our spring collection is inspired by ancient explorers and modes of transportation--bringing historical and raw aesthetics into a modern context. We were inspired by the simple textures in nature like those of rocks or water, to the complexity of a barbed wire fence or a topographical map.”
Can you describe the Chloé Comme Parris woman? “The Chloé Comme Parris woman is confident and effortlessly chic. She takes risks and values the art of being adorned.”
How will the two of you celebrate after the show? “There will be champagne involved!"
Chloé Comme Parris will be presented today at Toronto Fashion Week.
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